Now the World Cup numbers game begins

THE 12th season of the RBS 6 Nations championship will not linger long in the memory, with even winners England left feeling flat after leaving Dublin with the championship trophy on board but their reputations bruised.

It has been that type of tournament, with every side harbouring regrets and if onlys. For many, with ultimate success looking very unlikely from the time that England demolished Italy 59-13 in round 2 (the problem with using points differential as a means of separating sides), the focus shifted onto maximising the return from each bruising contest with the World Cup in mind.

In many respects, Ireland finished the tournament strongest and in the best frame of mind for the preparation ahead of New Zealand. From the players’ perspective, August 22 becomes the key date, when Declan Kidney will announce the 30 players charged with attempting to deliver a first ever World Cup semi-final slot.